Delfland - Delfland Water Board

The three key tasks of Delfland - maintenance of dikes and dams, water level control, and water quality control - initially do not seem to have much in common. But you can't tell a book by its cover. Often you cannot view one task separate from the other. The manner in which you construct and maintain quays, for example, has consequences for the quality of the water. Which is why Delfland always performs its tasks with "a broad view". In other words: taking into account all possible relevant factors. This is also known as integrated water management. To that end, Delfland strives for cooperation with other authorities and institutions.

A good execution of the key tasks, cooperation and consideration for nature; these are the three directives of Delfland's policy. The Water Board thereby does not limit itself to the struggle against water, but also for water. Because no water means no life. Water is life!

Maintenance of dikes and dams

The Delfland region is located far below sea level. And if a dune or dike should give way, the land behind it would flood. The consequences of a collapse in the Delfland region would be felt as far as the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. To limit the danger, Delfland maintains the sea and river flood defence structures and quays. Safety is, of course, crucial in the management and maintenance of the dikes and dams. But, in addition to safety, the past few years have also seen increasing attention being devoted to the landscape, nature and recreation.

The main or so-called primary maintenance of dikes and dams consists of two components: the seawall and the river flood defence structure. This primary maintenance of dikes and dams of Delfland must be able to withstand a wind-force and water level which, on average and statistically speaking, do not occur more than once every 10,000 years.

Water management

Water management involves the regulation of the water level in streams, lakes, ditches, moats and canals. This is vital for developments, agricultural businesses, the shipping industry, nature and recreation. The height at which the water level of an area is set depends on the use and function of that area. The level in wildlife areas, for instance, often fluctuates, while farmers prefer a relatively low water level to prevent their land from becoming too wet. The management of water levels is also of great importance for the shipping industry. If the water level is too low, large ships will run aground; if it is too high, the vertical clearance under bridges will become insufficient.

Water quality

Delfland ensures an optimum quality of the surface water in its management region. This key task entails the purification of wastewater and the limiting of discharges into surface water wherever possible. After all, clean and pure water is important to humans, but also to animals and plants. Delfland therefore creates conditions that lead to a better-optimized habitat for plants, aquatic plants and animals. This can be done by constructing nature-friendly banks for example, or through ecological maintenance of waters and quays.

Taxation of Delfland

Water authorities are, just like municipalities, local authorities. But unlike municipalities, water boards are functional authorities. This means that the Water Board has specific tasks and that the implementation of these tasks is financed through taxes. These taxes are imposed on residents and companies within the management region. There is a separate tax for each task to be carried out. These include pollution tax, water board levies, sufferance tax and legal dues.

Delfland sends its clients a deposit-transfer card to pay these fees. Payments can also be made at Delfland's cash desk.

FAQ Household pollution tax / Water board levies

To whom is the Delfland notice of assessment addressed?

Delfland sends the notice of assessment to the oldest male occupant of a household. If the household has no male occupant, then the assessment will be sent to the oldest female occupant.

My household consists of two persons. Why do I get charged for three pollution units?

All households are charged for three pollution units, regardless of whether the household consists of more or fewer than three persons. There is however one exception to this rule: If you live on your own, you will only be charged for one pollution unit. We base this information on the number of persons registered at your address according to the municipal personal records database.

I live alone. How can I reduce the fee from three to one pollution units?

We rely on the information supplied to the municipal personal records database to determine whether you will be charged for one or three pollution units.

If you live on your own, you will only be charged for one pollution unit. If you start living on your own in the course of the year, we will automatically adjust the fee and you will be refunded or credited for any excess amount paid. You will receive the relevant notification from us.

If you live alone but received an invoice for three pollution units, you may apply for a reduction of the assessment by completing and returning the change notification card or by filling in and submitting the objection form online.

Please note: Always notify your local municipality of any changes to your personal data. Incorrect levies can be prevented through proper registration in the municipal personal records database.

I don't live at my current address for part of the year. Can I receive a reduction or exemption for this period?

No, unfortunately you can't. The levy is based on the information contained in the municipal personal records database (GBA). If you reside at a different address for part of the year, your registration with the municipal personal records database remains unchanged, which means the levy also remains unchanged.

I am relocating. Now what?

The water board levy is a so-called point-in-time tax. The levy is based on the situation on 1 January of a given year. If you relocate, you still have to pay for the entire year. Of course, that also means that you will only need to start paying levies at your new home the following year.

If your new home is still within our service area, there will be no reduction in the pollution tax payable. On the other hand, you won't have to pay a levy for the current year at your new address.

If your new home is outside our service area, the pollution tax charge will be adjusted automatically. You will receive the relevant notification from us, as well as a refund for the excess amount paid.

Please note!! You must notify your municipality of any address changes. The municipality will then forward the information to Delfland. You do not need to inform us directly of your change of address.

I relocated a while ago already, but have not yet informed the municipality. Now what?

If your new home is still within the Delfland area, you don't have to do anything. What you have overpaid at your previous address, you will now underpay at your new address. So you will pay the correct amount on balance. If you have moved out of the Delfland service area, you may submit a letter of objection. This should be accompanied by written proof of the date from which you no longer occupied the home (e.g. a copy of the rental termination agreement or date of ownership transfer if you have sold your house).

I am living in/renting a room. Do I need to pay, too?

The charge applies exclusively to users of independent housing. The term 'independent housing' refers to a situation where the occupants have their own facilities such as shower/bath, toilet and kitchen. If one or more of these facilities are shared with others, then one of the following applies:

• You are a live-in worker or a lodger. The head of the household is charged a pollution tax of three pollution units.
• You rent accommodation with other people and share the sanitary facilities. One of the occupants is charged a pollution tax of three pollution units.
• You rent a room and share the sanitary facilities with other lodgers. The landlord is charged pollution tax for renting out the premises commercially.

If one of the abovementioned situations applies to you, please notify us by completing the appeal form.

My rental fee is all inclusive. Do I still need to pay the fee?

Yes, you still need to pay the assessment. If you have arranged with the landlord that he will pay the charge, then you must settle the matter with him. In the eyes of the law, you are a taxable person.

Can the water board levy be reduced?

The levy is charged to the person registered to that address in the municipal personal records database (GBA) on 1 January of the tax year. This assessment concerns a fixed amount per residential property, regardless of the number of residents. You may only submit a letter of objection if you were not registered at the relevant address in the municipal personal records database on 1 January of that year. In that case, you may either complete and return the change notification card or fill in and submit the objection form online.

Can I pay the fee in instalments?

Yes, you may pay the total amount due in instalments. In that case, you will have to give Delfland direct-debit authorisation. This must be done in writing. You may send the letter to Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland (Delfland Water Board), Attn. Collection Team, PO Box 2929, 2601 CX Delft. Alternatively, you can fill in the bank instruction card you received with your 2007 invoice and send it to Delfland (no postage stamp needed).

Can I pay the fee any other way than by deposit-transfer card?

Yes, you may pay the invoice any way you choose (e.g. online banking), as long as you fill in the payment reference in the correct place on the assessment notice as indicated.

If I submit a letter of objection, may I then defer payment until I hear from you?

The collection will be suspended for the sum against which you lodge an objection. The sum against which you have no objection must be paid before the stipulated due date.

For more information, please send an email to info@hhdelfland.nl.